Church Funds Feud Turns Violent as Pastor Allegedly Seizes Offering Before Count

A pastor in Rukungiri District has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a church secretary over offering money. Police say Ayebare Felix attacked Byomuhangi Joan, grabbed cash from the offering basket before it could be counted, and destroyed her phone. The suspect remains in custody while investigations continue, and police have cautioned religious leaders to resolve disputes peacefully, not through violence.

Hamlet Arinda 2 months ago (Last updated: 2 months ago) 2 minutes read

RUKUNGIRI – Police in Rukungiri District have arrested a pastor of Kyarusongyera Anointed Church for allegedly assaulting a church secretary in a dispute over church funds.

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The suspect in custody has been identified as Ayebare Felix, a pastor at Kyarusongyera Anointed Church located in Bwanga Parish, Nyarushanje Sub-county, Rukungiri District.

Pastor Felix allegedly assaulted the church secretary Byomuhangi Joan, 34, a resident of Kyarusongyera, in an incident that occurred at the church premises at approximately 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 30, 2026.

Reliable sources allege that Pastor Felix confronted Church Secretary Joan and forcibly took money from the offering basket before it could be counted, igniting a violent clash at the church.

The pastor is said to have struck and boxed the 34-year-old secretary, inflicting physical injuries, and then grabbed her phone, smashing it to the ground and causing extensive cracks on both sides.

The alleged assault, according to sources, stemmed from earlier threats in which Ayebare accused Byomuhangi of obstructing his access to church funds, accusations that ultimately boiled over into the reported attack.

Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson SP Nelson Tumushime confirmed that the matter was reported to police, leading to Pastor Felix’s arrest. He remains in custody as investigations into the alleged assault and mishandling of church funds continue.

SP Tumushime has since issued a strong warning to religious leaders, urging them to operate within the law and reminding the public that freedom of worship does not extend to criminal acts such as assault, fraud, or extortion.

“The matter was reported to police, leading to the arrest of Pastor Felix, who remains in custody as investigations into the alleged assault and mishandling of church funds continue. We strongly warn religious leaders to operate within the law, freedom of worship does not extend to criminal acts such as assault, fraud, or extortion,” SP Nelson Tumushime noted.

The matter has raised concerns about financial integrity in religious institutions, with authorities emphasizing that church financial disagreements should be settled peacefully and within the law, not through violence.